1912 - April 14, 1912, Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, who lived in what is today the Bernards Township Administration Building, perished in the sinking of the Titanic. 1,523 people perished in the accident.

1969 - William Annin Middle School in Bernards Twp opened as a junior high school in 1969.

THSSH is a great place to get your 25 hour high school volunteer community service hours. And you can do it all in one place for one organization and keep it simple. Whether it's genealogy,
American history, or architectural history, we'll continue to expand
our collection of materials suitable for students of all ages. Below are
a few of the offerings:

Create a Young Historian program. Work with the Programming Committee and learn everything that’s needed to create a program or event from planning thru post follow up. (All year) (20+ hours credit depending on activity or event)

Haunted Walking Tour Zombies: We need 2-3 zombies to dress up and participate in our haunted walking tour on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

Art Program: Work with the Ridge Art Club to update the Charter Day Billboard of King George (Due before May 2018) (5-10 hours credit)

Be a museum docent at Somerset County History Weekend at the Brick Academy (Oct 14-15) (5-10 hours credit)

Research and write a story about a historic event or “Growing up in Basking Ridge” essay. 2-5 pages (5 hours credit)

Attend an Elder Voices program. Take notes and prepare an article on the next Elderly Voices program at the Brick Academy Sunday, Nov 5, 2017 (5 hours credit)

Help with a holiday craft project for kids (December) (5 hours credit)

Create an Essay: "Growing up in....... (Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, or any town in the Somerset Hills. 2-4 typed pages (5 hour credit)

Research Assistant: THSSH receives research requests from the public all the time. Work with one of our volunteer researchers and help research and draft a response for the request (5-20 hours depending on request). All Year

Build a “History in a Box”: Work with THSSH Programming Committee alongside Ms. Kristin Fox (Social Studies Supervisor to update the “History in a Box” program where you get to choose what goes into the box, do the research of what’s in the box, and why it belongs in the box (typically small items taken from THSSH storage. The box is then shared with teachers in the Somerset Hills to use with their class (typically 3-8th grades. Year long. (25+ hours).

THSSH Supervisor Contact: Brooks Betz brooks.betz@thssh.org. Simply select one of the available activities. Some activities are limited to only a few volunteers, so it is a first come, first serve process so act quickly.

Since the home to the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills is
a former school, it's only appropriate that there's a fun interactive
learning experience for our areas youth. The 1809 Federal-style Brick
Academy located in the center of Basking Ridge has been a boys’
private preparatory school, a public school, a meeting hall for several
fraternal and benevolent organizations, and the Bernards Township
municipal building. It currently serves as the headquarters of The
Historical Society of the Somerset Hills.

Programs Run By Students

While THSSH continues to expand the program, we are always looking for young historians that not only want to learn about history, but to actually run a young minded program. There have been walking tours, speaker series, and educational events designed, planned, and executed by our THSSH Student members. To get involved, simply drop us a note and someone from the Program Committee will be in touch.

Pitch a Young Historian program idea now! Click Here to submit an idea

New Campaign and a FREE THSSH Student Membership

The publisher of The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project is offering a one use coupon in its book that offers a free one year membership to THSSH, including the Young Historians program. It's a fantastic one time offer to students in the area that want to participate in a great program. Supported by the HSSH Education Committee, it's a great way to get involved.

Coloring Kits and Workbooks all available at THSSH

Researched, designed and planned as a Girl Scout
Bronze Award project by Junior Girl Scout Troops 138 and 988.
The Girl Scout Bronze award is the highest award a Junior
Girl Scout can earn.

Along with detailed descriptions of sites around the township,
there is a place to provide 8 passport stickers to show that
you've read and visited the sites. (A great learning guide
for parents as well).

Booklets are available at THSSH.

As the THSSH Young Historian program expands, please consider volunteering
to work on this important effort.